Ukraine-Russia war latest: Cracks emerge over peace deal as Trump offers limited security guarantees for Kyiv

Germany welcomed Trump’s efforts to secure a peace deal on Monday but insists Russia must be involved, too, to end the war.

A spokesperson for the government said no peace was possible without Russian involvement, while noting a discrepancy between Russia’s public statements and its actions on the ground.

The Kremlin yesterday dismissed talk of a ceasefire, suggesting it would prolong the conflict.

One of Ukraine’s most decorated soldiers has said he often intercepts Russian transmissions in which orders to kill surrendering troops are given.

Combat observers say evidence of alleged war crimes by Russian troops has grown in recent months. Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukraine even as peace talks continue between the US and European and Russian leaders.

– Trump said that Ukraine and the US have almost entirely agreed on security guarantees, though details remain scarce. Zelensky said they were in 100 per cent agreement, however.

– Zelensky still insists that foreign troops in Ukraine would be a real security guarantee. The Kremlin has consistently opposed such a move.

– Territory remains unresolved, Trump acknowledged. Zelensky said control over the eastern Donbas region was still an issue.

– The status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is another issue still under discussion. Trump previously suggested sharing its output.

Zelensky said today that the 20-point proposal under discussion should be put to a referendum.

One of our top stories overnight revealed that a Russian submarine was deployed alongside a spy ship to map critical undersea infrastructure around Britain.

The Ministry of Defence said a submarine had shadowed the Yantar as it reportedly surveyed the gas pipeline linking Britain and Ireland.

The Kremlin is now commenting on the latest developments in peace talks.

Russia agrees that a peace deal is getting closer – but stresses that Ukraine is still losing territory, in a sign it is unlikely to back down from its demands.

A talk between Putin and Zelensky is not yet under discussion, but Moscow expects another call with Trump very soon.

We are learning more from Zelensky about the issues discussed with Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday.

He says that Trump offered strong security guarantees for Ukraine at the meeting, which he said were “100 per cent” agreed.

There was also talk of a prosperity package that could include a free trade agreement with the United States.

Zelensky told reporters that a 20-point peace plan should be signed by Ukraine, the US, Russia and Europe, and also put to a referendum in Ukraine.

Some issues – notably territory – remain unresolved.

The draft plan under discussion to end the war includes US security guarantees for 15 years, Ukraine’s Zelensky told reporters this morning.

It would fall substantially short of the 50 years Ukraine has been asking for.

As a reminder, Trump has assured that Ukraine and the US are 95 per cent aligned on the major issues. Details on the shape of security guarantees are still scarce.

Ukraine’s air force has said that Russia launched 25 drones on Sunday as talks were taking place between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, with the majority shot down.

Drones were fired in the direction of Chernihiv in northern Ukraine and Novodonetsk in the Donetsk region, Ukraine’s military said.

It comes just days after Russia launched a huge aerial bombardment on major cities including Kyiv, where an apartment was hit.

Donald Trump has said that security guarantees for Ukraine are “95 per cent” finalised – but it remains unclear what these will entail.

Ukraine is still asking for clear security guarantees, which Europe is offering to front with a multinational force supplied by members of the “Coalition of the Willing” and supported by the US.

Washington has offered Kyiv safeguards modelled on Nato’s Article 5, allowing for collective defence, according to US officials.

Details are still scarce and it’s unclear what kind of response the US will be committed to should Russia break the peace.

Russia still says it will not accept what it calls Nato peacekeepers in Ukraine under any circumstances.